2Peter

2 PETER

Written shortly after 1 Peter, and likely by Peter himself.

Peter addressed himself to the ills of our day in both the second and third chapters. He fortold the evils of civil disobedience, moral decay, miscegenation and the greatest evil of all, the cry of 'God is dead'. His greatest fear was that some of us would lose 'the prize of the high calling of Yahweh in Christ Yahshua.'

He warns us 'to beware lest we also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.'

The original Greek will be used to clarify the translation.

Salutation

2Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus (Yahshua) Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith (allegiance) with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus (Yahshua) Christ:

The context is still and always the children of Israel. Then and today.

The Greek translates as: '...to the ones equal-valued to us chancing on belief in justice of the Elohiym of us...'

The Greek word lagchano (lang-khan-o) means to receive by divine allotement.

1:2 Grace (favor, Divine influence) and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus (Yahshua) our Prince,

Knowledge and understanding of our Prince, our heritage, our duty. Not just “believing on Him”, but understanding, supporting, doing and following what He represents.

The Christian's Call and Choice

1:3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory (honor) and virtue:

1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped (fleeing from) the corruption that is in the world (society) through lust.

2Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The promises made to Abraham and his seed.

1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence (earnestness), add to your faith (The Belief of you) virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

1:6 And to knowledge temperance (self control); and to temperance (self control) patience (endurance); and to patience (endurance) godliness;

1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love).

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (allegiance, The Belief).

1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Prince Jesus (Yahshua) Christ.

John 15:2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth (cleanse) it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

“Just believing” does not bear fruit. With knowledge and understanding we have a source for the growth of good fruit. Witnessing.

1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (Heb 9:14)

No such thing as “once saved, always saved”. Repentance and preservation is an ongoing thing in this life. Old sins are past sins, how can you be “saved” if the Kingdom has not arrived yet and sin still exists?

1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election (choosing) sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (Mat 20:16, 22:14; Rev 17:14)

Only the children of Jacob are 'called' and 'elected'. We have a purpose and a duty. When we have the knowledge and understanding of this, and follow it, we will never fall.

Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee...

1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Prince and Saviour Jesus (Yahshua) Christ.

If we follow what is explained in verses 3-10, we gain entrance.

1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

1John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

The biggest lie is that the Jews are Israel. The second is they've convinced you that you are not Israel, but a “Gentile”.

1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

2Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Peter is referring to his body.

1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Prince Jesus (Yahshua) Christ hath shewed me.

1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

John 21:19 This spake He (Christ), signifying by what death he (Peter) should glorify (honor) God. And when He had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow Me.

Eyewitnesses of Christ's Glory

1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Prince Jesus (Yahshua) Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

1Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words (philosophy), lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

The 'cunningly devised fables' are a reference to the Judaism of the Pharisees, the doctrines of men, and false teachers.

1:17 For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. (Mat 17:1-5; Mar 9:2-7; Luk 9:28-35)

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star (Light bearer) arise in your hearts:

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in His light.

1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

'Prophecy' also means to be able to interpret and teach.

People think that they can conform scripture to fit their interpretation. Or that scripture means something different to each person. Scripture is the heritage of a family. Scripture is about the history and race of Adam, about our duty, for our learning, and for an example to follow. Scripture is specific and exclusive. These things cannot be changed.

1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The holy men of Yahweh were indeed inspired. The translators throughout time, however is another thing.

2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Studying and searching the scripture. Not “just believing”. Not taking your preachers word for it. Not by just using the KJV.

Prophecy must be understood in the language and context of the language spoken at that time. Mistranslations and false doctrines arise when the original gets misunderstood. This happens by both innocent mistakes and deliberate. Here is just a short list of non-scriptural doctrine: “Just believe”, “once saved, always saved”, sperm can be “spiritual”, the “rapture”, it's ok to eat pork, the law was “done away with”, the flood was worldwide, Moses married a black woman, the Jews are Israel. Christmas and Easter holidays.

None of these are true, none are backed by the original and oldest manuscripts.

False Prophets and Their Punishment

2Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies (destructive systems of philosophy), even denying the Prince that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2Pet 2:7-8,21; Mat 7:15-23)

It matters who and what we worship. It matters that we know our history and heritage. It matters what we teach and learn.

2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (blasphemed).

Since the 1800's and the Scofield Bible, the idea that the Jews are Israel has been force fed to us. To take a misinformed preachers word for it and worship a Jewish Jesus is BLASPHEMY!

2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

This is talking about televangelists. The gospel is not for sale.

Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Prince Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. WOW!

2:4 For if God spared not the angels (messengers) that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

4:18 Behold, He put no trust in His servants; and His angels He charged with folly:

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world (society) of the ungodly; (Gen 6:1-7:24; Heb 11:7; 1Pet 3:20; Wis 10:4)

'Person' is in italics, meaning it was added by the translators.

Noah was the 10th patriarch from Adam. Since Enoch was translated and Methuselah outlived his son Lamech, Noah was the eight preacher of righteousness, being the oldest living patriarch in the order of Melchizedek.

The flood was not worldwide as the “churches” teach. History and archaeology prove this by the records of Egypt, China and other ancient civilizations being uninterrupted. How could an olive tree survive underwater for a year? What about fresh and salt water mixing?

The flood happened in that specific region, the Tarim Basin, which was bowl shaped landscape. A large underground aquifer busted along with a world wide deluge. Science proves the atmosphere was very dense before the flood, as it did not rain yet.

Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for Yahweh God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Genesis 7:11...the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; (Gen 19:24; 3Mac 2:5)

2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked: (Gen 19:1-16; Wis 10:6-8; 2Pet 3:17)

2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tormented) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2:9 The Master knoweth how to deliver the godly (righteous) out of temptations (trials), and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government (authority). Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities (blaspheming).

2:11 Whereas angels (messengers), which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Master.

It's appropriate to bring these blasphemers to judgment for blasphemy, however, even the angels aren't doing that.

Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation (a judgment for blasphemy), but said, The Master rebuke thee.

2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute (irrational) beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

'made' in verse 12 comes from a Greek word meaning 'born'.

There are vessels of/for mercy and vessels of/for destruction. Mercy for the children of Israel, destruction for the children of Cain and Esau.

2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

These are the descendants of Cain and Esau. The Pharisees and the Jews. Yesterday and today. Obadiah tells of their end.

2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

Jude 1:11 Woe unto them (Israelites that followed the ungodly)! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam (race mixing) for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Core, according to Josephus Book 4 chapter 2, was the cousin of Moses. Core and his men wanted some authority. Core disputed Yahweh's election for the priests. (Num Ch16)

2:15 Which have forsaken the right way (straight road), and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (2Pet 2:11-15; Eze 7:1-11:25)

2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

This was the story of the Midianite women seducing the men of Israel. These women were not pure, but already race mixed. Yahweh's enemies know they can't beat us by force. Mixing the pure with the unpure is the only way. This is why He wants us to remain separate.

Numbers 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, (the race mixed fornication) he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman (who was race mixed) through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

He was rewarded for this.

We are not to associate with those outside our race.

2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Yahweh's people, when unmixed and righteous, hold the Spirit (DNA).

The Devil's children are broken cisterns, clouds without water, cannot hold the Spirit.

Try converting a Jew in Israel, they will throw you in jail! They have no truth in them.

2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error (delusion). (Jude 16)

2:19 While they (Judaizers) promise them (us) liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (Gal 5:13; John 8:34)

Pro-choice, women's suffrage, porn, movies and media, laws and regulations, false doctrine in the “churches”.

2:20 For if after they (we) have escaped the pollutions of the world (society) through the knowledge of the Master and Saviour Yahshua Christ, they (we) are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them (us) than the beginning.

2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (1Ti 6:14; Deut 17:20; Psa 19:8)

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his master's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Kinda blows apart this “once saved, always saved” theory.

2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (Pro 26:11)

The Promise of the Master's Coming

2Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Prince and Saviour: (Jude 17)

3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (Jud 18)

2Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Isaiah 5:19 That say, Let Him make speed, and hasten His work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

Jeremiah 17:15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of Yahweh? let it come now.

Talking about those who lost their faith (moral conviction, belief, allegiance).

3:5 For this they willingly are (choose to be) ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (Gen 1:6-9; Heb 11:3)

The Greek: 5 For this willingly escapes them: that the heavens were from old and the earth from out of water and through water had been put together by the Word of Yahweh,

Willing ignorance is the same as “just believing”. Willing ignorance is believing your preacher or “church” over the scriptures. Willing ignorance is willingly avoiding closer examination of the Word.

3:6 Whereby the world (satanic society) that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (Gen 7:11)

3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Matthew 25:41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Prince as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (Psa 90:4)

3:9 The Prince is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness (delay); but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (compunction, a change of mind). (1Tim 2:4)

Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

3:10 But the day of Yahweh will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (Luk 12:39; 1Th 5:2; Rev 16:15)

'burned up'. Some manuscripts have 'burned up', the older ones have 'discovered'. Either work.

Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (reverence),

3:12 Looking for and hasting (being anxious) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Verse 12 is not a question.

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new (renewed) heavens and a new (renewed) earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (Psa 102:25-26)

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith Yahweh, so shall your seed and your name remain.

The seed, descendants of Jacob Israel. If the gospel is for everybody, why does scripture always identify the children of Israel? Because the Bible is not universal. It is the book of the generations of Adam. It's our heritage.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

There will not be no ocean or water? No. The sea represents people. This would be the collection of Satan's kids and those that mixed with them.

Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

The 'water as a flood' are Satan's children and minions, the woman represents the bride, the children of Israel.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Prince is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist, pervert), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2Cor 11:6)

We lost touch with our true heritage because of deception. Now our well meaning preachers are just repeating the distorted and perverted doctrine of our age old enemies.

Judeo-Christianity is the result of this. Judaism and Christianity don't mix.

3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

3:18 But grow in grace (favor, Divine influence), and in the knowledge of our Master and Saviour Yahshua Christ. To Him be glory (honor) both now and for ever. Amen.

1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Matthew 11:25 At that time Yahshua answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Master of heaven and earth, because You hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

We must have a clear and fresh new mind. As a child. Unlearn the large amount of false teaching that we are used to, and grow in understanding.

2 PETER – CHURCH DOCTRINE VS. SCRIPTURE

Below are 3 sources of what the modern churches preach today about the book of 2 Peter.

The purpose is to expose the apostasy and perversion of the scriptures, and to educate our people about the truth of our heritage. That we, the Anglo-Saxon race who are the descendants of ancient Israel, are the people of Abraham's seed and therefore the heirs of the promises of Yahweh. Not the Jews who distort and pervert the scriptures and teach the 'traditions of men'.

Biblehub.com

The book of 2nd Peter is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). It was written to all believers in general. Written to the children of Israel, mainly of the dispersed, or scattered abroad. The author is Peter who wrote it about 63-64 A.D. The key personalities are the Apostles Peter and Paul. Its purpose was to warn against the increasing number of false teachers attacking the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• In chapters 1-2, Peter gives guidance and reassurance to the growing church (assembly) and claims that the Gospel they are preaching is of Jesus Christ. He claimed, “We were eye witnesses of His Majesty” (1:16), and that men who were, “Moved by the Holy Spirit” wrote all of the teachings of Scripture (1:21). The trouble they were dealing with was the beginning of what we now know as “Gnosticism” a philosophical principal that was hurting the churches (assemblies). Peter went on to teach that in the end God would judge all of the false prophets.

• Chapter 3, Peter encourages believes with the coming Day of the Lord. The Earth will receive its punishment and the righteous will dwell in the “New Heavens and the New Earth”. His final warning is critical which he claims, “Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men” (3:17).

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (1:4).

Insight.org

Who wrote the book?

Peter introduced himself at the beginning of the letter as “a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,” and he addressed the letter “to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours” (2 Peter 1:1). Only later does it become apparent that Peter was writing to the same group of believers who had received his first letter. In 2 Peter 3:1, the author reflected that this is “the second letter I am writing to you.” Peter was writing to the dispersed tribes of Israel. He was also writing to the assemblies that Paul established. Reinforcing the message.

Where are we?

Peter wrote this letter from Rome soon after he wrote 1 Peter in AD 64–66. So what would have prompted another letter to the same group so soon after the first? From the contents of the letter, it appears that Peter had received reports of false teachers in and among the churches (assemblies) in Asia Minor. The apostle warned them about the insidious presence of those who spread heresies among the people (2 Peter 2:1), marking such difficulties as a sign of the last days (3:3). Peter wanted to encourage his people to stand firm and to instruct them on how best to do that.

Why is Second Peter so important?

The churches (assemblies) of Asia Minor were not just struggling with the persecution and suffering addressed in Peter’s first letter; they also had strife and dissension within their ranks. In an effort to stem the tide of heresy and false teaching among the Christians, Peter emphasized the importance of learning and clinging to the proper knowledge of God. In fact, this concept was so important to him that the word knowledge appears—in one form or another—some fifteen times in the span of this short, three-chapter letter. That's because it MATTERS what knowledge you practice and worship. Hearing that the Jews are really the Devil's children and Israel, God's children, is really the anglo-saxon race is EXTREMEMLY hard to swallow for a person who grew up believing a lie.

What's the big idea?

Peter’s theme in his second letter is a simple one: pursue spiritual maturity through the Word of God as a remedy for false teaching and a right response to heretics in light of Christ’s promised second coming (2 Peter 1:3, 16). When false teachers begin to whisper their sweet words into the ears of immature Christians, the body of Christ begins to break apart, to lose what makes it distinctive in the first place—faith in the unique person and work of Jesus Christ. Peter repeatedly points to the Word of God as the primary means of growth for the Christian (1:4, 19–21; 3:1–2, 14–16).

Peter encouraged his readers to apply themselves to acquiring the true knowledge of God and living out the life of faith (allegiance) with “all diligence,” so that they may “be found by [Jesus] in peace, spotless and blameless” (1:5; 3:14). And if believers did not follow his advice, they would be giving their Christian community over to the heretics, people who look to “exploit . . . with false words” (2:3).

How do I apply this?

As with the recipients of Peter’s letter, we all go through difficult times. Those trials seem to hit us even harder when the source of the struggles comes from somewhere or someone close to us. We know intuitively this is true in our personal lives: a rift in a marriage, an unwed daughter’s unexpected pregnancy, or an abusive relationship with a relative. But it holds true within the church (assembly) as well.

Believers can create dissension in multiple ways, particularly in the areas of relationships and theology. To guard against that kind of discord—both in our families and our churches(assemblies)—God’s people need to know who He is. Our knowledge of God through His Word is the first line of defense against the conflicts that threaten to tear us apart. As Peter wrote: “Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men . . . but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17–18).

With that in mind, what means are you taking to grow in your faith? Let’s take the time to guard our minds with the proper knowledge of God so that we may not drift off from the path that God has laid out for us.

Let's start with teaching the name of our God. YAHWEH! And that WE are Israel, and we must learn our history and heritage.

Biblestudytools.com

Summary of the Book of 2 Peter

Author

The author identifies himself as Simon Peter (1:1).

Although 2 Peter was not as widely known and recognized in the early church (assembly) as 1 Peter, some may have used and accepted it as authoritative as early as the second century and perhaps even in the latter part of the first century (1 Clement [a.d. 95] may allude to it). It was not ascribed to Peter until Origen's time (185-253), and he seems to reflect some doubt concerning it. Eusebius (265-340) placed it among the questioned books, though he admits that most accept it as from Peter. After Eusebius's time, it seems to have been quite generally accepted as canonical.

In recent centuries, however, its genuineness has been challenged by a considerable number of interpreters. One of the objections that has been raised is the difference in style from that of 1 Peter. Because Silvanus wrote it for Peter. But the difference is not absolute; there are noteworthy similarities in vocabulary and in other matters. In fact, no other known writing is as much like 1 Peter as 2 Peter. Perhaps most significant is the statement in 1Pe 5:12 that Silas assisted in the writing of 1 Peter. No such statement is made concerning 2 Peter, which may explain its noticeable difference in style.

Date

2 Peter was written toward the end of Peter's life (cf. 1:12-15), after he had written a prior letter (3:1) to the same readers (probably 1 Peter). Since Peter was martyred during the reign of Nero, his death must have occurred prior to a.d. 68; so it is very likely that he wrote 2 Peter between 65 and 68.

Purpose

In his first letter Peter feeds Christ's sheep (who are only Israelites) by instructing them how to deal with persecution from outside the church (assembly) (see 1Pe 4:12); in this second letter he teaches them how to deal with false teachers and evildoers who have come into the church (assembly)(see 2:1; 3:3-4). While the particular situations naturally call for variations in content and emphasis, in both letters Peter as a pastor ("shepherd") of Christ's sheep (Jn 21:15-17) seeks to commend to his readers a wholesome combination of Christian faith and practice. More specifically, his purpose is threefold: (1) to stimulate Christian growth (ch. 1), (2) to combat false teaching (ch. 2) and (3) to encourage watchfulness in view of the Lord's certain return (ch. 3).

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